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UConn draws region of death: Huskies have a difficult path to March Madness Final Four
View Date:2024-12-23 20:44:55
After a terrific season defending their 2023 national championship, the UConn Huskies were named the 2024 NCAA Tournament's No. 1 overall seed. Their reward? Arguably the toughest trip to the Final Four of each of this year's No. 1-seeds.
UConn is the top seed in the East Region. Unfortunately for them, that region also includes three other top-tier conference champions: Auburn (SEC), Iowa State (Big 12), and Illinois (Big Ten). Of course, UConn has never been a team to back away from a challenge.
The Huskies have already defeated teams like Marquette this year, which was labeled a No. 3-seed by the March Madness selection committee. Auburn is a No. 4-seed. Furthermore, with Iowa State and Illinois being ranked as No. 2 and No. 3-seeds respectively, there is no way that UConn plays all three of these teams during their potential run to the Final Four. Still, UConn fans are undoubtedly biting their nails thinking about the gauntlet they'll have to run if they want to repeat.
NCAA Tournament snubs:Oklahoma, Indiana State and Big East teams lead March Madness victims
Who is UConn's first opponent?
Before UConn faces any of the teams listed above, they'll have to take care of business in the Rounds of 64 and 32. UConn's first opponent will be the Atlantic Sun Conference champions, Stetson. Stetson posted a 22-12 record this year, marking just their second season in school history with 22 wins and first since 1975. 2024 will be Stetson's first ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
IT'S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY's NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.
Should UConn take down the Hatters, UConn will face the winner of No. 8 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 9 Northwestern in the Round of 32.
What is the highest rated conference champion in every other region?
Here are the top seeds in every other region:
- West: North Carolina
- South: Houston
- Midwest: Purdue
None of those teams won their conference title. The highest ranked conference champion in each division is as follows:
- West: St. Mary's (5-seed)
- South: NC State (11-seed)
- Midwest: Oregon (11-seed)
Which No. 1-seed has the easiest path to the Final Four?
The consensus seems to be that Purdue has the easiest path to the Final Four between UConn, Purdue, Houston, and UNC. The Midwest Bracket has some very tough schools in No. 2 Tennessee and No. 3 Creighton, but one of the most highly-touted teams in that bracket is also No. 12 McNeese State. As talented and under-the-radar as McNeese State is, when they are one of the biggest threats to the top seed in a region, that seems like a fairly easy bracket.
How to watch March Madness:
All games will be broadcast on CBS, TBS, TNT and TruTV. Here are additional streaming options to watch all the action on your devices.
- Stream through Paramount+
- Stream through HULU with Live TV
- NCAA March Madness Live app
- Stream through DirecTV Stream
Stream March Madness:Catch all March Madness action with a Fubo subscription
NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness 2024 Schedule
First Four
Round | Dates | Venue | City |
First Four | March 19-20 | UD Arena | Dayton, Ohio |
First and Second Round
Round | Dates | Venue | City |
First/Second | March 19-20 | UD Arena | Dayton, Ohio |
First/Second | March 22 -24 | Barclays Center | Brooklyn. N.Y. |
First/Second | March 21 - 23 | Spectrum Center | Charlotte, N.C. |
First/Second | March 22 - 24 | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Indianapolis |
First/Second | March 21 - 23 | CHI Health Center | Omaha, Neb. |
First/Second | March 21 -23 | PPG Paints Arena | Pittsburgh |
First/Second | March 21 - 23 | Delta Center | Salt Lake City |
First/Second | March 22 - 24 | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena | Spokane, Wash. |
First/Second | March 22 - 24 | FedExForum | Memphis, Tenn. |
Sweet 16 and Elite Eight
Round | Dates | Venue | City |
East Regional | March 28 - 30 | TD Garden | Boston |
East Regional | March 28 - 30 | TD Garden | Boston |
South Regional | March 29 -31 | American Airlines Center | Dallas |
Midwest Regional | March 29 - 31 | Little Caesars Arena | Detroit |
West Regional | March 28 - 30 | Crypto.com Arena | Los Angeles |
Final Four
Round | Dates | Venue | City |
Final Four | Saturday, April 6 | State Farm Stadium | Glendale, Arizona |
NCAA championship game
Round | Dates | Venue | City |
NCAA championship game | Monday, April 8 | State Farm Stadium | Glendale, Arizona |
Men’s March Madness live updates:Selection Sunday bracket, snubs, predictions
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